September 2010

22 September 2010

h.Art was pretty full on this year and I didn't really have the opportunity or head-space to make any shades from scratch. I did manage to finish this half-shade using a reclaimed OS map of Cheltenham.

It has a lovely vintage feel and the town was perfectly placed on the map to enable a bit of symmetry with the stitched lines.

10 September 2010

I finished this bold drum shade late last night just in time for h.Art which begins tomorrow.

This afternoon I set up my lamps in the cottage of fellow craftsman Jenny Pearce. There is something special about seeing them all together in a home setting, especially as the room they are in already has three of my wall-lights as permanent fixtures.

For the next nine days I will be sat amongst them, with my sewing machine and scissors, showing visitors how they are made.

I am back home now, having picked up my boys from school, preparing price tags and making up brochures. I left poor Jenny clearing away her family's belongings, re-arranging furniture and mopping floors ready for opening day. I bet many more of the 200 artists taking part in the event this year are doing pretty much the same!

I have promised to make some flapjacks to offer with tea and coffee to all our guests - so do come and say hello if you are anywhere near Ledbury over the next week.

Jenny has a wonderful display of willow baskets and you can also take a stroll around her willow beds.

We are at Vicarage Cottage, Canon Frome, Ledbury HR8 2TG and open from 10am until 5pm each day.

08 September 2010

I have been making small table lamps for h.Art using local OS maps dating from the 50s and 60s. So far I have those featuring west and east of Hope-under-Dinmore, Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, Malvern, Upton-on-Severn and Cheltenham.

I know I've said it before, but I really do like the colours of vintage OS maps.

03 September 2010

With the children back at school my focus has swung to h.Art which is almost upon us - starting on Saturday 11 September and running through until Sunday 19 September.

There are 111 venues open this year, with over 200 artists and makers taking part. It is a wonderful way to explore the county of Herefordshire, see behind the scenes of artists' studios, meet designer makers and see how they create their work.

Once again I will be joining Jenny Pearce, the willow basket maker, at her lovely rural home in Canon Frome - Venue 14 in the East of Herefordshire (for your copy of the 38-page colour brochure visit www.h-art.org.uk).

Next week I'll show you some of my new work created for h.Art, but right now I must get back to my sewing machine......